On May 16, Chinese media outlet 163 reported on Huang Yi’s appearance at a press conference for the film A Gilded Game. Now past her prime and often taking on supporting roles in historical dramas, Huang opened up tearfully about the hardships she faced when her career hit a low point.
*There was a time when no one invited me to act, and to make a living, I had to perform at opening ceremonies. Sometimes I sang until I lost my voice and no one cared. They just urged me to keep singing and dancing, regardless of whether I was tired,” she recalled. “When I finally got a film offer, it felt like a drowning person grabbing onto a straw. That was my chance to live again.”*
Huang also admitted that past romantic entanglements had caused her to miss key acting opportunities. Now, she says, she is fully focused on her career and no longer interested in pursuing love.
Despite reportedly earning 80,000 RMB (over $11,000 USD) per performance, she described those days as exhausting and miserable.
However, her words failed to resonate with the public. Many netizens criticized her for complaining about hardship while earning more in a day than many workers make in a year. As social media users pointed out, average laborers—including couriers and farmers—often earn just 3,000 RMB per month, making it difficult to sympathize with celebrities lamenting their struggles.
According to 163, the Chinese public is frequently frustrated by celebrities who publicly “suffer” despite their immense income, calling the gap in living standards too great to bridge with empathy.
Huang Yi, born in 1979, rose to fame as a historical drama beauty, starring in classic TV series Wrong Carriage, Right Groom and My Fair Princess 3. Her personal life has also been turbulent—most notably her public divorce, in which her ex-husband accused her of infidelity.
In recent years, she has returned to the screen with works like Marvelous Women, Dashing Youth, Feud, and A Gilded Game. She has also made appearances on variety shows and music programs. After past criticism over plastic surgery, Huang’s appearance is now considered more natural by fans.
Despite her efforts to reclaim her place in the spotlight, Huang Yi’s latest remarks have sparked renewed debate over how celebrities portray hardship—and whether the public is still willing to listen.
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